A new top t-shirt knit pattern, the Open Skies Top, is now a free knitting pattern for women here on the blog. Read all about the easy construction and what you need to make this lacy summer top knitting pattern or scroll down for the free pattern, grab the printable PDF from my shop, Etsy shop, Ravelry shop or you can get Lion Brand Kit with pattern PDF and yarn you need for it.
No time right now? Pin this easy t-shirt knitting pattern free for later!
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Light, airy, and effortlessly stylish — the Open Skies Top is your go-to piece for sunny days when comfort and simplicity are key. Designed with an easy lace pattern that keeps your hands busy without bogging you down in complexity, it’s perfect for laid-back knitting sessions or a quick project between more involved makes. The loose, boxy shape and t-shirt sleeves create a relaxed silhouette that’s flattering and breathable, making it ideal for layering or wearing solo when the temperature rises.
Finished with clean i-cord edges and a slightly cropped length, the Open Skies Top offers a polished look without extra fuss. It’s knit flat and seamed, with clear instructions and inclusive sizing from XS to 5XL. Made with Coboo, a soft and breathable cotton-bamboo blend, this top feels as good as it looks — and best of all, the pattern is completely free. Whether you’re lounging at home or heading out for a weekend brunch, it’s the kind of knit you’ll want to throw on again and again.
Open Skies Top Knitting Pattern Lion Brand Kit
Light, loose, and easy to throw on — the Open Skies Top is made for warm days when you don’t want to overthink your outfit (or your knitting). The simple lace keeps your needles moving without getting intricate, and the relaxed fit with t-shirt sleeves makes it super wearable. Clean i-cord edges and a slightly cropped length give it just the right finishing touch. Knit flat and seamed, it comes in sizes XS to 5XL.
Open Skies Knitting Pattern Top Construction
The Open Skies Top is a bottom up knit top. You’ll start with an I-cord cast-on, join in the round then work in lace pattern until the split for the armholes. The front and back panels are then worked flat separately. The front has a beautiful scooped neck shaping.
You’ll seam the shoulders and add an i-cord edging around the neckline before picking up stitches for the sleeves. The sleeves are worked straight in the same lace pattern in the round and finished with and I-cord cast off.
Downloadable PDF for Open Skies Top T-Shirt Knitting Pattern
Grab the printable PDF of the Stillwater Cardigan Knitting Pattern now in my shop, Etsy shop or on Ravelry shop or get the Lion Beand Kit:
Before You Start Your Open Skies Top T-Shirt Knit Pattern
Materials
- 4 mm/ US 6 circular knitting needles
- Lion Brand Coboo (100g, 50% cotton, 50% bamboo, 232 yds / 212 m): you will need 3 (3, 4, 4, 5) (5, 6, 6, 6) skeins in Mauve color SKU: 835-145L.
- Tapestry needle to weave in the ends
Size
The top is available in the following sizes: XS to 5XL. Sizes are noted throughout the pattern in the following way: XS (S, M, L, XL) (2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL). The pictures illustrate the XL size.
| Cardigan Sizes | XS | S | M | L | XL | |
| a | Bust (cm) | 89 | 100 | 111 | 121 | 132 |
| a | Bust (inch) | 35.25 | 39 | 44 | 47.75 | 52 |
| b | Armhole depth (cm) | 19 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 24 |
| b | Armhole depth (inch) | 7.5 | 7.75 | 8 | 9 | 9.45 |
| c | Sleeve length (cm) | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| c | Sleeve length (inch) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| d | Top total length (cm) | 52 | 52 | 52 | 57 | 57 |
| d | Top total length (inch) | 20.5 | 20.5 | 20.5 | 22.5 | 22.5 |
| Cardigan Sizes | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | |
| a | Bust (cm) | 142 | 153 | 163 | 174 |
| a | Bust (inch) | 50 | 60 | 64 | 68 |
| b | Armhole depth (cm) | 25 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
| b | Armhole depth (inch) | 9.75 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 |
| c | Sleeve length (cm) | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| c | Sleeve length (inch) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| d | Top total length (cm) | 62 | 67 | 67 | 67 |
| d | Top total length (inch) | 24.5 | 26.5 | 26.5 | 26.5 |
You can easily adjust the length to your desired length, just add/remove length before splitting for the sleeves.
Gauge
The gauge for this pattern, in lace stitch, is 19 st by 25 rows for a 10 cm by 10 cm square (4” by 4”).
Note: Bamboo has a tendency to grow a lot! Make sure your swatch is big enough and you block it. Gauge and all dimensions are given blocked. Take note of your pre-blocking and blocked gauge and calculate accordingly.
Abbreviations & Instructions
- st = stitch
- k = knit
- p = purl
- k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
- p2tog = purl 2 stitches together
- ssk = slip 2 stitches knitwise, knit these 2 stitches together through back loops; single left-leaning decrease
- yo = yarn over
Repeat instructions between [] the indicated number of times or until the end of the round/row.
The final number of stitches is indicated at the end of the round/row between < >.
Special Stitches
The entire top is worked in the same lace stitch pattern. The body and sleeves are worked in the round, while the upper part of the front and back panels are worked in rows back and forth. In addition depending on the size and sections you’re working you might need to offset by half a repeat. This is all detailed in the pattern below.
The base lace stitch used (written in the round) is this 10 stitch, 12 rounds repeat:
Round 1: [K6, yo, ssk, k2] around
Round 2: Knit around
Round 3: [K7, yo ssk, k1] around
Round 4: Knit around
Round 5: [K8, yo, ssk] around
Round 6: Knit around
Round 7: [K2, k2tog, yo, k6] around
Round 8: Knit around
Round 9: [K1, k2tog, yo, k7] aroundRound 10: Knit around
Round 11: [K2tog, yo, k8] around
Round 12: Knit around
When worked flat the even numbered knit rounds are replaced by purl rows to get the same stockinette background for your lace stitch.
Tips, Tricks and Techniques
- If you find your ssk tends to have a bit of a stairs effect, this trick will help you get a neater ssk.
- I-cord cast on in the round: The body starts with a 3 stitch I-cord cast on. You can refer to this video tutorial.
- I-cord cadt off in the round: The sleeves end with a 3 stitch I-cord cast off. You can refer to this video tutorial.
I-cord edge: You will add an applied I-cord edge around the neckline. This is the video tutorial I’ve used.
Top Construction
The Open Skies Top is a bottom up knit top. You’ll start with an I-cord cast-on, join in the round then work in lace pattern until the split for the armholes. The front and back panels are then worked flat separately. The front has a beautiful scooped neck shaping.
You’ll seam the shoulders and add an i-cord edging around the neckline before picking up stitches for the sleeves. The sleeves are worked straight in the same lace pattern in the round and finished with and I-cord cast off.
The Actual Open Skies Summer Lace T-Shirt Knitting Pattern Free
I cord cast on 170 (190, 210, 230, 250) (270, 290, 310, 330) st and join in the round
Knit 1 round.
Repeat Round 1 to 12 below until total length is approximately 32 cm / 12.5”. Finish on a Round 12.
Round 1: [K6, yo, ssk, k2] around.
Round 2: Knit around.
Round 3: [K7, yo ssk, k1] around.
Round 4: Knit around.
Round 5: [K8, yo, ssk] around.
Round 6: Knit around.
Round 7: [K2, k2tog, yo, k6] around.
Round 8: Knit around.
Round 9: [K1, k2tog, yo, k7] around.
Round 10: Knit around.
Round 11: [K2tog, yo, k8] around.
Round 12: Knit around.
Split Front And Back
Cast off 15 st, [k1, yo, ssk, k7] 7 (8, 9, 10, 11) (12, 13, 14, 15) times, cast off 15 st, [k6, yo, ssk, k2] 7 (8, 9, 10, 11) (12, 13, 14, 15) times.
From now on you’ll knit in rows front and back.
Back Panel
Repeat the 12 rows below until you reach approximatively 20 (20, 20, 25, 25) (30, 35, 35, 35) cm / 7.75 (7.75, 7.75, 9.75, 9.75) (11.75, 13.75, 13.75, 13.75) from armholes, starting on Row 8 and finishing on a Row 12.
Row 1: [K6, yo, ssk, k2] across.
Row 2: Purl across.
Row 3: [K7, yo ssk, k1] across.
Row 4: Purl across.
Row 5: [K8, yo, ssk] across.
Row 6: Purl across.
Row 7: [K2, k2tog, yo, k6] across.
Row 8: Purl across.
Row 9: [K1, k2tog, yo, k7] across.
Row 10: Purl across.
Row 11: [K2tog, yo, k8] across.
Row 12: Purl across.
Cast off and leave a long tail for sewing.
Front Panel
Join yarn back at the armpit for the front panel and repeat the 12 rows below starting with a Row 8 until you reach approximatively 7 (7, 7, 12, 12) (17, 22, 22, 22) cm / 2.75 (2.75, 2.75, 4.75, 4.75) (6.75, 8.75, 8.75, 8.75) finishing on a Row 12.
Row 1: [K1, yo, ssk, k7] across.
Row 2: Purl across.
Row 3: [K2, yo ssk, k6] across.
Row 4: Purl across.
Row 5: [K3, yo, ssk, k5] across.
Row 6: Purl across.
Row 7: [K7, k2tog, yo, k1] across.
Row 8: Purl across.
Row 9: [K6, k2tog, yo, k2] across.
Row 10: Purl across.
Row 11: [K5, k2tog, yo, k3] across.
Row 12: Purl across.
Cast off middle 30 (20, 30, 20, 30) (40, 30, 40, 30) st for the neckline.
[K1, yo, ssk, k7] 2 (3, 3, 4, 4) (4, 5, 5, 6) times, cast off 30 st, [k1, yo, ssk, k7] 2 (3, 3, 4, 4) (4, 5, 5, 6) times.
Work both sides separately. You have 20 (30, 30, 40, 40) (40, 50, 50, 60) st for each side.
Row 2: Purl across.
Row 3: Ssk, yo, ssk, k6, [K2, yo ssk, k6] across. <19 (29, 29, 39, 39) (39, 49, 49, 59) st>
Row 4: Purl across.
Row 5: Ssk, yo, ssk, k5, [K3, yo, ssk, k5] across. <18 (28, 28, 38, 38) (38, 48, 48, 58) st>
Row 6: Purl across.
Row 7: Ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, k1, [K7, k2tog, yo, k1] across. <17 (27, 27, 37, 37) (37, 47, 47, 57) st>
Row 8: Purl across.
Row 9: Ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k2, [K6, k2tog, yo, k2] across. <16 (26, 26, 36, 36) (36, 46, 46, 56) st>
Row 10: Purl across.
Row 11: Ssk, k4, [K5, k2tog, yo, k3] across. <15 (25, 25, 35, 35) (35, 45, 45, 55) st>
Row 12: Purl across.
Work Row 1 to 12 below followed by another repeat of Row 1 to 6.
Row 1: [K6, yo, ssk, k2] until last 5 st, k5.
Row 2: Purl across.
Row 3: [K7, yo ssk, k1] until last 5 st, k5.
Row 4: Purl across.
Row 5: [K8, yo, ssk] until last 5 st, k5.
Row 6: Purl across.
Row 7: [K2, k2tog, yo, k6] until last 5 st, k2, k2tog, yo, k1.
Row 8: Purl across.
Row 9: [K1, k2tog, yo, k7] until last 5st, k1, k2tog, yo, k2.
Row 10: Purl across.
Row 11: [K2tog, yo, k8] until last 5st, k2tog, yo, k3.
Row 12: Purl across.
Cast off and leave a long tail.
Join yarn back at the neckline to work the other side.
Row 2: P2tog, purl across.
Row 3: [K2, yo ssk, k6] until last 9 st, k2, yo,ssk, k5. <19 (29, 29, 39, 39) (39, 49, 49, 59) st>
Row 4: P2tog, purl across.
Row 5: [K3, yo, ssk, k5] until last 8 st, k3, yo, ssk, k3. <18 (28, 28, 38, 38) (38, 48, 48, 58) st>
Row 6: P2tog, purl across.
Row 7: [K7, k2tog, yo, k1] until last 7 st, k7. <17 (27, 27, 37, 37) (37, 47, 47, 57) st>
Row 8: P2tog, purl across.
Row 9: [K6, k2tog, yo, k2] until last 6 st, k6. <16 (26, 26, 36, 36) (36, 46, 46, 56) st>
Row 10: P2tog, purl across.
Row 11: [K5, k2tog, yo, k3] until last 5 st, k5. <15 (25, 25, 35, 35) (35, 45, 45, 55) st>
Row 12: P2tog, purl across.
Work Row 1 to 12 below followed by another repeat of Row 1 to 6.
Row 1: [K1, yo, ssk, k7] until last 5 st, k1, yo, ssk, k1.
Row 2: Purl across.
Row 3: [K2, yo ssk, k6] until last 5 st, k2, yo, ssk.
Row 4: Purl across.
Row 5: [K3, yo, ssk, k5] until last 5 st, k5.
Row 6: Purl across.
Row 7: [K7, k2tog, yo, k1] until last 5 st, k5.
Row 8: Purl across.
Row 9: [K6, k2tog, yo, k2] until last 5 st, k5.
Row 10: Purl across.
Row 11: [K5, k2tog, yo, k3] until last 5 st, k5.
Row 12: Purl across.
Cast off and leave a long tail.
Assembly
Sew the shoulder seams together. Add an I-cord edge all around the neckline. Refer to this detailed video tutorial if needed.
Sleeves
Pick up 100 st around the armhole (85 along the 2 sides + the 15 you cast off)
Join in the round and knit the following 12 row repeat until you reach approximately 18 cm / 7” finishing on a Round 6.
Round 1: [K6, yo, ssk, k2] around.
Round 2: Knit around.
Round 3: [K7, yo ssk, k1] around.
Round 4: Knit around.
Round 5: [K8, yo, ssk] around.
Round 6: Knit around.
Round 7: [K2, k2tog, yo, k6] around.
Round 8: Knit around.
Round 9: [K1, k2tog, yo, k7] around.
Round 10: Knit around.
Round 11: [K2tog, yo, k8] around.
Round 12: Knit around.
I-cord cast off and join the I-cord in the round.
Blocking
You are done with the knitting part. Make sure to weave in all the ends.
To make your top prettier, help open up your lace stitches and even out your stitches, carefully wet block your project to final dimensions. Make sure not to outstretch it as bamboo can be stretched easily. Don’t skip this step as it can make a huge difference. Read my detailed tutorial on why block, how-to, and all my tips and tricks if you need help.
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You may not share, sell or claim my patterns as your own. You can make finished items to sell (i.e. on Etsy, at craft fairs) from my patterns but I ask that you link back to my blog knittingwithchopsticks.com and provide credit for the pattern. Copyright 2025
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